FOX 66 News at Ten

Police are working to educate residents about the dangers of meth trash.

Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team Lt. Mark Uribe says more meth cooks are creating dangerous situations in Mid-Michigan communities when they dispose of ingredients they use to make the drug.

"What we've been seeing here is these meth cooks will just throw their bags of materials on the side of the road," said Uribe.

Uribe says police have seen more people start to use a one-pot method to create meth in pop bottles. He says meth cooks often use common household products, but when these chemicals are mixed together they have the potential to explode.

"They're explosive, they could catch on fire, and they could cause breathing problems," said Uribe.

So far in 2013, one law enforcement agent, 11 suspects -- including one fatally -- and one child have been injured in meth-related explosions.

In 2012, one law enforcement agent, a child and 19 suspects were injured in meth-related explosions.

Police say when cleaning up trash in your community watch out for any bottles with unknown substances inside. They also say trash bags filled with materials such as batteries, filters, and funnels could be meth trash. Uribe says if you find any trash that looks suspicious instead of picking it up, you should call 9-1-1.

"Treat every bag that you see on the side of the road as meth trash because it could be very, very dangerous," said Uribe.

Uribe says in addition to keeping you safe, reporting suspicious trash could also help police investigations.

"If you have any information, please call. Meth is not only a police problem, but it's a community problem," said Uribe.